I can affign no reafon why the variation is fo much lefs
at, and near, Annamooka, than at either of the other two
places. lean only fay, that there is no fault in the ob-
fervations ; and that the variation ought to be more at Annamooka
than the above, as it has been founid to be fo to the
Northward, Southward,-Eaftwar-d, and Weftward of it. Buc
difagreements in the variation, greater than this, even in
the fame' needle, have been often obferved. And I lhould
not have taken notice of this inftance, but from a belief
that the caufe, whatever it is, exifts in the place, and not
in the needles; for Mr. Bayly found the fame, or rather
more difference.
The tides are more confiderable at thefe iilands, than at
any other of my difcoveries in this ocean, that lie within,
the tropics. At Annamooka it is high water, on the
full and change days, nearly at fix o’clock; and the tide
rifes and falls there, upon a perpendicular, about fix feet.
In the harbour of Tongataboo, it is high water, on the
full and change days, at fifty minutes paft fix. The tide
rifes and falls, on thofe days, four feet nine inches; and
three feet fix inches at the Quadratures. In the channels between
the iilands, which lie in this harbour, it flows near
tide and half tide ; that is, the flood continues to run up
near three hours, after it is high water by the Ihore; and
the ebb continues to run down, after it is flood by the
Ihore. It is only in thefe channels, and in a few other
places near the fliores, that the motion of the water or
tide is perceivable ; fo that I can only guefs at the quarter
from which the flood comes. In the road of Annamooka, it
fets Weft South Weft, and the ebb the contrary; but it falls
into the harbour of Tongataboo from the North Weft,
5 • pafies
pafies through the two narrow channels, on each fide of >777*
Hoolaiva, where it runs with confiderable rapidity, and >,
then fpends itfelf in the lagoon. The ebb returns the
fame way, and runs with rather greater force. The'North
Weft tide is met, at the entrance of the lagoon, by one
from the Eaft; but this, as I have before obferved, was
found to be very inconfiderable.
E N D OF T H E F I R S T V O L U M E ,